We leverage genomic and transcriptomic data to identify innate immune genes, detect sequence variation, and map functional elements across species. Bioinformatic analyses generate hypotheses about receptor function, evolutionary conservation, and species-specific adaptations.

We test predictions from computational and evolutionary analyses in the lab, examining how immune receptors recognize bacterial components and trigger responses. This work links genomic patterns to real-world immune function, with implications for disease mechanisms in humans and the resilience of natural populations.